Kerry takes campaign to church-going voters

The Scotsman ^ | August 8, 2004 | ROLANDO GARCIA

[MadIvan]

JOHN Kerry has begun speaking more openly about his faith, a move political experts say is crucial to chipping away at President George Bush’s advantage among church-goers.

Mr Kerry, a Roman Catholic, rarely addressed his faith during the primary season, but from his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention last month to regular visits to black and non-denominational churches, he is talking in more detail about God’s role in his life.

At the Greater Grace Temple in Springfield, Ohio, Mr Kerry told hundreds of worshippers he was running as a "lay leader", but added: "There isn’t any way that you’re not affected by your fundamental values, the faith that brings you to the table."

And he said his faith in God had helped him through personal tragedy.

"I was at war, lost some of my best friends, those I grew up with and those I fought with," the decorated Vietnam War veteran said. "And I sort of questioned: why does this happen, why did this happen, what’s going on?

"We all question. And we learn that even through suffering, through loss, we get in touch with power, with the being, with the Almighty."

Couching issues like helping the poor in religious terms and discussing how his belief in God helped him persevere in Vietnam could help Mr Kerry win over believers in a way Democratic candidates have often been unable to do, said Amy Sullivan, a writer on religion and US politics.

Ms Sullivan said the faithful "often use religion as a proxy of a candidate’s moral grounding. It helps them know where he’s coming from."

Mr Kerry regularly attends Catholic Mass but has often claimed a New Englander’s reserve when it comes to publicly talking about his religion. In contrast, Mr Bush, a born-again Christian who openly discusses his conversion, has made his faith a key part of his public persona.

"I don’t wear my own faith on my sleeve, but faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday," Mr Kerry said.

The senator from Massachusetts faces a challenge in closing the Democratic Party’s religion gap. According to 2000 election exit polls, Mr Bush carried 63 per cent among those who went to church more than once a week.

[MadIvan]

I think that there is a quote from the Bible that goes, "Not all that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Or the White House.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[Merry]

We have Dufus who believes in nothing but insists on "wearing his religion on his sleeve." Meanwhile, we have a deeply religious President who considers his religion private. Does the Dufus really think that all people of faith won't see right through him?

[hinckley buzzard]

"we get in touch with power, with the being, with the Almighty"

Has a little trouble with "God" or "Jesus" doesn't he.
Probably just needs a bit more practice in front of a mirror.

[prophetic]

these toilet Johns will say anything to get folks to vote for them.

[hobson]

"There isn’t any way that you’re not affected by your fundamental values, the faith that brings you to the table."

Is it just me or does he make odd statements?

[NonValueAdded]

"I don’t wear my own faith on my sleeve...

Of course not, the whole of Vietnam is already on it and there's no more room. Meanwhile he is quoting the wrong Reagan.

[suzyq5558]

Is it just me or does he make odd statements?

No its not you! that man says a whole lot things that are odd or just do not make a sliver of sense. As for lurch wanting to get ahold of power oh he wants power all right but Im pretty sure its not the power of God he's seeking.

[sockmonkey]

Of course not, the whole of Vietnam is already on it and there's no more room.

Thanks a lot. I know have spit sparkles all over my monitor from bursting out laughing!

[Theresawithanh]

No, it's definitely not just you, Kerry speaks very strangely. And, of course, we are learning that his wifey does, too, only she does so in several languages!

[broadsword]

I have never seen a bigger phony or poser than Kerry. Really! What kind of man has to struggle so hard to proove he is a man?

[dc-zoo]

Maybe he speaks of "Bruce Almighty".

[Arthur McGowan]

Here's the name and number of the pastor of the pro-abortion Catholic church where John and Teresa Kerry were given Communion, in violation of Canon Law, Sunday, August 8th:

Msgr. Leo Lucero
San Felipe de Neri
2005 North Plaza SW
PO Box 7007
Albuquerque, NM 87194
505-243-4628
Fax: 505-224-9495

[jnarcus]

You are sooo right...After all Jerry is the one who has said he believes that life begins and conception but still advocates for all the abortion a person could ask for...He takes communion even when the Pope and his bishops have said he should be banned...And my guess is that Teresa ain't a Catholic woman...so he doesn't seem to follow much of his own so called beliefs

[nopardons]

This is so Clintonesque,it's beyond Clinton!

[KangarooJacqui]

You'd know.

[LadyDoc]

Ah, but did he go to Mass?

You see, for a Catholic, going to a non catholic church service is nice: Usually the hymns and sermons are better.

But you can't receive the Eucharist (in most churches, you receive bread and wine which are symbols; Catholics and Orthodox believe it is the body and blood of Jesus, a much holier thing).

Without the Eucharist, it's just a service...

[Sam the Sham]

After the Peterson fiasco I suppose he has realized that his Americans United for Separation of Church and State and People for the American Way pals have nothing but bad advice to offer. I'll bet Vanderslice and Peterson were names they put forward.

[leprechaun9]

"I don’t wear my own faith on my sleeve, but faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday," Mr Kerry said.

Mr. Kerry, the values and actions which you display have no resemblance to the tenets of the Roman Catholic Faith!

[Desdemona]

What kind of man has to struggle so hard to proove he is a man?

One who never really grew up.